Hindu Samaj of Hamilton & Region

Hindu Samaj of Hamilton & Region
Hindu Samaj of Hamilton & Region
Location in Ontario
Name
Other names Hindu Samaj Temple
Proper name Hindu Samaj of Hamilton & Region
Geography
Coordinates 43°10′48″N 79°51′23″W / 43.18000°N 79.85639°WCoordinates: 43°10′48″N 79°51′23″W / 43.18000°N 79.85639°W
Country Canada
Province Ontario
Location Hamilton
Culture
Primary deity Multiple
Important festivals Diwali, Krishna Janmashtami, Maha Shivaratri
History and governance
Date established 1975
Temple board Board of Directors
Website www.hamiltontemple.com

Hindu Samaj of Hamilton & Region is a non-profit, religious organization based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, registered with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. The organization, whose main operation is the Hindu Samaj Temple, has been serving the community in the new city of Hamilton and vicinity (formerly the regional municipality of Hamilton) since 1975.

History

The organization was formed in 1975 and received the charter as a charitable religious organization in February 1976.[1] In 1984, the samaj purchased an old church and a began the job of converting it into a temple. The church was gradually converted into a temple and Hindu deities were established, the last being in April 1993. The Temple is a centre of worship and focal point for cultural events for Hindus in the Golden Horseshoe area of Southern Ontario. All major Hindu festivals are organised and celebrated at the temple in accordance with Karma Kand of Sanātana Dharma.[2] The temple also invites and hosts important Hindu religious and spiritual leaders from around the world, including India.[3]

The fire of 2001 and subsequent rebuild

The temple was the victim of arson on September 15, 2001 (local media reported on the suspicious nature of this attack, coming as it did just days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks).[4][5] The temple was eventually rebuilt with the hard work and determination of the local community, assistance from government, and bank loans. The burning down and subsequent rebuilding of the temple attracted national and international sympathy.[6] The event was covered by several international news organisations.[7] The temple was rebuilt and reopened in 2005. To commemorate the event, and to celebrate the coming together of Hamilton’s community, the City of Hamilton recognised the Temple as a site of historic importance and installed a commemorative plaque there.[8] As a direct response to the fire of 2001 the Strengthening Hamilton Community Initiative (SHCI) was developed by the city of Hamilton. Subsequently, Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion (HCCI) was set up in 2006 to act as a centralized hub to enable all Hamilton citizens access to the knowledge and resources needed to build a strong, racially diverse and welcoming city.[9][10][11] After years of investigation, on November 27, 2013, Hamilton Police arrested three men in connection with the arson.[12][13]

Temple Operations

The temple serves both as a relegious and a cultural centre for the Hindus in the area. A number of religious ceremonies are regularly performed. Major events that are routinely held at the temple or performed by the priests are: Engagement Ceremony, Marriage (priests are licenced to perform marriages in Ontario), Namakaran, Annaprashana, Mundan Sanskar, Havan, Bhoomi Pooja, Vastu Shanti/Graha Pravesh, Satyanarayan Pooja, Navagraha Pooja, Maata Ki Chowki.[14]

Main deities at the Temple

Major festivals celebrated

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hamilton Temple. Hamiltontemple.ca. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  2. ↑ Diwali festival will light up Hamilton. TheSpec (October 22, 2010). Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ CCI – CCI Newsletter. Cci-icc.gc.ca (December 14, 2009). Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  5. ↑ 9.11 Plus Four Ending Hate Crimes. David-kilgour.com (September 11, 2005). Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  6. ↑ US edition: Hindus bewildered at attacks in US, Canada. Rediff.com (September 16, 2001). Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  7. ↑ Rebuilt temple in Canada is symbol against hate crime. Hindustan Times. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  8. ↑ http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/FBCC9CE0-F6B9-4FA4-881E-6DCF943D7156/0/May09HHB06001Hindu.pdf
  9. ↑ http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/0976763B-CD23-4F46-A239-485A44147ACE/0/Jan23CS09016REPORTHCCI.pdf
  10. ↑ Centre Emerges From Temple Ashes (Canada). Pluralism.org (March 23, 2007). Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  11. ↑ Making diversity gains. TheSpec (June 7, 2011). Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  12. ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/police-arrest-three-men-for-2001-attack-on-hamilton-temple-1.2442098
  13. ↑ http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4238011-police-charge-trio-with-hate-attacks-on-hindu-samaj-temple-and-hamilton-mountain-mosque/
  14. ↑ Hamilton Temple. Hamiltontemple.ca. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
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